Pharrell Williams brings Indian style to Louis Vuitton show in Paris
Paris Fashion Week opened Tuesday with Pharrell Williams' Spring/Summer 2026 Louis Vuitton show, rooted in Indian culture and staged in front of the Centre Pompidou.
Pharrell fused Paris and Mumbai into a vibrant, sun-soaked vision of Vuitton's 2026 man - a globe-trotting, style-forward dandy. Models marched in jewelled cricket jerseys, monsoon-sized sleeves, and Bollywood-inspired tailoring, all set against a life-sized Snakes and Ladders board by architect Bijoy Jain.
A star-studded front row - including Bradley Cooper, Karol G, J-Hope, Future, Beyoncé and Jay-Z - signalled Vuitton's ongoing cultural dominance.
Check out highlights from runway show in the video player above.
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And Louis Vuitton did not give up its traditional opening slot. The Saint Laurent collection was presented on June 24 in the late afternoon, beneath the rotunda of the building where François Pinault, founder of Kering, exhibits his art collection. The space, bathed in light from its glass dome, is currently occupied by "Clinamen," an installation by Céleste Boursier-Mougenot. In the 18-meter-wide basin, dozens of white porcelain bowls drift. Usually, designer Anthony Vaccarello prefers nocturnal atmospheres to stage his elegant, enigmatic men who seem to step out of a movie. This time, he drew inspiration from the 1970s, when creative gay communities gathered on Fire Island off the coast of New York state. Among them were painters Billy Sullivan and Larry Stanton, both known for their vibrant use of color. "I didn't want to lock myself into the darkness of previous seasons," the Belgian designer explained. 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An orchestra and gospel choir performed the soundtrack, composed by Pharrell Williams, musician and creative director for Louis Vuitton's men's collections. In fashion history, brands have sometimes used spectacular set designs to distract from lackluster clothing. Here, however, the India-inspired collection was as precise as it was appealing. "It's not about referencing the traditional silhouettes of India, but instead, the environment itself: the colour palette, the way buildings are painted, the way clothes are worn," explained the American designer, who earlier this year visited workshops, palaces and bazaars in Mumbai, Jaipur and New Delhi with his team. Dressed in indigo suits or slightly flared Prince of Wales checks, the Vuitton models wore shirts with beaded collars and flip-flops. Their leather jackets were as soft as butter and beautifully patinated. Pajama-style pants (again!) added a relaxed touch to double cashmere coats. The luxurious, slightly nostalgic silhouette evoked the films of Wes Anderson, especially The Darjeeling Limited, set in India, for which Louis Vuitton created retro trunks with animal prints. Elephants, giraffes and zebras reappeared here on garments and leather goods, items with undeniable commercial appeal. "I'm not usually the guy that likes to go back in time and do things from a heritage point of view – I feel like my mission is to innovate – but being able to reach back and do something that related to one of the cardinal figures who shaped my taste buds was next level!" declared the designer. He would be wrong to miss the opportunity, for the American filmmaker brings out the best in Williams: more dandy, less bling.
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Paris Fashion Week opened Tuesday with Pharrell Williams' Spring/Summer 2026 Louis Vuitton show, rooted in Indian culture and staged in front of the Centre Pompidou. Pharrell fused Paris and Mumbai into a vibrant, sun-soaked vision of Vuitton's 2026 man - a globe-trotting, style-forward dandy. Models marched in jewelled cricket jerseys, monsoon-sized sleeves, and Bollywood-inspired tailoring, all set against a life-sized Snakes and Ladders board by architect Bijoy Jain. A star-studded front row - including Bradley Cooper, Karol G, J-Hope, Future, Beyoncé and Jay-Z - signalled Vuitton's ongoing cultural dominance. Check out highlights from runway show in the video player above.
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